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Community Corner

Moms Talk: Do You Wanna Go To A Game?

How to determine whether your kid is ready to attend that sporting event with you, and whether you'll both actually enjoy it if he does.

Welcome back to Moms Talk, a feature that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community are all welcome to weigh in and use the discussion forum as a resource. Each week, we'll pose a question and solicit feedback on a wide array of issues, but you should feel free to suggest questions you'd like to see discussed as well.

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This week, our discussion turns to sporting events and kids.  Like many of my fellow Washingtonians, I went to the U.S. Open this week.  A couple of my friends from NYC came down and we spent a day in the sun walking the golf course, relaxing, laughing, quietly stalking Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson and generally have a great time.  The kids were in summer camp and I had taken the day off of work.  Life was good.  Until, around the fifth hole, I looked around and saw a family with a double stroller.  And then I saw another kid.  And another.  And another.  And all of the sudden, I felt a little guilty.  This is a pretty unique and historic experience that I am taking in.  And honestly, it never crossed my mind to bring my kids.  Why?  Well, we're talking about the same kids who I took to Cubs spring training in Arizona where, even lounging on the berm, they managed to "be bored" and stress me out by wanting to run around the ballpark.  We're talking about the kids who go to a Bethesda Big Train game and spend the whole game at the batting cages with all of the other little boys without an ounce of interest in the actual game we paid to attend.  We're talking about the kids who we have to ply with different food treats every inning in order to stay for an entire Nationals game.  So, was I wrong to leave my kids at home?  What kind of adventures with kids and sporting events have you experienced?  Ever brought your kid to an event you really want to enjoy and have it ruined?  Ever have your kid surprise you with their behavior or interest in the event?  Tell me about what you've taken into consideration when deciding whether your child was ready to attend a certain sporting event with you.

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